By Norah Musega
Learning outcomes in Migori County are expected to improve significantly following the elevation of twelve sub county secondary schools to county status.
The elevation will enable the schools admit students from within the county unlike in the previous where they admitted from within the sub counties.
Consequently, the schools will be allowed to admit students with higher marks and this will increase competition amongst learners hence improved results.
County Director of Education Mr. Jacob Onyiego told Education News that several schools had made requests to be elevated but only twelve met the minimum threshold as required by the Ministry of Education.
Among requirements include a steady school mean score of 4.5 and above, availability of boarding facilities. In addition, the community’s support for the elevation was also factored.
“The involvement of the county education board who conducted assessment of the schools which had applied to ensure all government guidelines are adhered to,” he noted.
Among the schools accorded new status are St. Celestino Nyangibo girls, Masara mixed, Migori Township and Sagero mixed secondary schools in Suna West Sub County.
Gokeharaka, Kebaroti mixed and Taranganya Girls’ of Kuria West Sub County Taragai mixed and Wangirabose Secondary of Ntimaru Sub County were also elevated.
Others include St. Mary’s Winjo in Nyatike Sub County and St. Juliane Ugari and St. Michael Nyarongi mixed secondary schools of Migori Sub County.
Onyiego however challenged stakeholders and learners to work hard and to outshine their status.
“Both school heads and stakeholders should see to it that they improve the infrastructure in order to improve the performance of learners,” he advised.
St. Celestino Nyangubo Girls Principal Hellen Ndere applauded the move, as it will enable learners understand and appreciate different cultures as the school will now be admitting learners from across the cosmopolitan County with different communities.
“Now they will be able to understand the different cultures of different communities as they will interact during their studies and stay in the school,” he said
She stated that the elevation will promote unity among them in the spirit of national unity and cohesion.”
Suna West MP Hon. Peter Masara challenged education stakeholders to work together to upgrade standards of education within their locality to set good foundation for their children.
“The elevation is as a result of the hard work by teachers and the support and encouragement I accorded them as the area MP through infrastructural development and bursaries.
This had therefore paved way for more development and growth in the education sector within our region,” said Masara.
He said that the elevation is an indication of the huge potential the schools have, promising to support more schools in his efforts to promote quality education as a priority in the schools.
